Traffic light control mechanism



J. J. SCHUMACHER 2,797,400

TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROL MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 25, 1957 Filed June 1. 1954 Fig.3

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u John J. .Schumacher Q INVENTOR.

June 25, 1957 J. J. SCHUMACHER 3 9 TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ww *1 John J. .Schumac/rer IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROL MECHANISM John J. Schumacher, Rapid City, S. Dak., assignor of fsorlgy percent to Mary P. Schumacher, Rapid City,

Application June 1, 1954, Serial No. 433,523

1 Claim. (Cl. 340-40) This invent-ion relates to a traffic light control mechanism for use in converting traffic light control systems for manual operation previously utilized in transferring the system from that of a sequential arrangement of stop, caution'and go lamps to that of a flashing caution or stop lamps during periods, especially at night, when traffic is at a minimum.

The device comprising the present invention comprises an adapter interconnecting the operating arm of a time clock such as the model TS 60 S. P. Inter-matic as manufactured by the international Register Co., of Chicago, Illinois. The invention is installed inside a time clock case of which the time clock is of conventional construction the adapter is installed in association with the time clock actuating arm normally used for switching. The invention provides mechanical means for automatically selecting either a sequential arrangement of go, caution, and stop lamps or flashing circuits.

Still further objects and features of this invent-ion reside in the provision of an adapter for use in conjunction with substantially conventional trafiic control systems which adapter is simple in construction and manufacture, can be readily utilized in conjunction with various types of timer clocks which is easy to install, and which will, because of its automatic operation reduce the time necessary for a police force of a municipality to properly maintain its trafiic system.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this tratfic light control mechanism, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

' Figure 1 is an elevational view of the time clock case with the cover thereof removed illustrating the manner in which the adapter comprising the most important element of the present invention is interconnected with the timer clock and the sets of contacts;

Figure 2 is a partial front elevational view of the cover of the timer clock illustrating the traffic control switch and the flasher switch;

Figure 3 is an elevational view illustrating the trafiic and flasher switches with the cover open;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 44 of Figure 1 illustrating the sets of contacts associated with the flasher switch;

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 55 of Figure 1 illustrating the construction of the contacts associated with the traffic switch; and

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of the traffic control systerm, but not showing the conventional cam unit consisting of a group of contacts for selecting the sequential operation of the traflic lights.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates the timer clock casing which can 2,797,400 Patented June 25, 1957 be mounted in any convenient position. Within the timer clock casing there is a timer clock mechanism 12 adapted to actuate a time indicator pointer 14 which is stationary. The clockwork mechanism of the clock timer 12 includes an indicator dial 16 which revolves clockwise. Cooperating with the indicator dial 16 is a pair of setting members 18 and 20 held in position by setscrews which when they contact the indicator pointer 14 the operating arm 22 of theclock timer 12 will become actuated. Attached to the operating arm 22 is an adapter 46 forming an important element of the invention.

As can be readily recognized the timer clock '12 actuates adapter 46 which disconnects cam unit, now shown, of a type GS 4 synchronous timer manufactured by the Grouse-Hinds 00., Syracuse, New York, which controls a plurality of contacts controlling operative electrical supply circuits to the individual lamps of the trafiic light being controlled by this device. These auxiliary circuits which combine with the circuitry shown in Figure 6 are not shown inasmuch as they are a part of the type GS 4 synchronous timer.

T he timer clock 12 is driven by a suitable synchronous type motor 24 receiving current through 'hot feed line 38 to suitable terminals on the controller plug in strip 36, thence through line "34 to the contact 44, and then through line 34 to the single pole toggle switch 30. Line 32 is a common or ground line which is connected at the main terminal connection bar and is connected to motor 24.

It is to he noted that there are mounted in association with the timer clock 12 opposed sets of contacts 40 and 42. The arrangement of the contacts 40 and 42 is conventional and a third set of contacts previously designated 44 which is normally manually operated is automatically directed into engagement with either set of contacts 40 or the set of contacts 42 by operation of the operating arm 22. [This is because there is provided an adapter 46 which consists of a downward-1y extending shank portion 48 adapted to be attached to the operating arm by means of recess 58. The shank portion terminates in a substantially horizontally extending portion 50 carrying an inverted channel-shaped member 52 of insulating material which is adapted to engage over the upwardly extending ends of the sets of contacts 44. The member 52 is fastened to the adapter 46 by means of a small machine screw on the bottom side of the portion 50.

It is to be recognized that the contacts 40 and 42 are mounted and insulated by a suitable insulating mounting block having portions designated 54 and 56 respectively. The contacts 44 extend outwardly from the mounting block 56 but are insulated from the set of contacts 42. It is noted that the upper end of the shank 48 may be provided with a recess 58 therein for reception of the lower end of the operation arm 22 or may be otherwise attached to the operating arm 22.

Connected to the contacts 42 is a flasher switch F operated through a toggle 60 mounted on the casing 10. As can be readily seen the flasher switch is connected through the conductor 62 to the set of contacts 42 which are interconnected by a conductive plate 64 and is then connected to the traffic controller plug in strip 36 and from there to the GS 4 type trafiic controller.

A traffic switch T controlled by means of a single pole toggle switch 66 is interconnected through conductor 68 to contacts 40 from the plug in strip 36.

The switches 60 and 66 are interconnected through the respective conductors for the reason to turn ofi the current to either the flashing or the traffic sequence circuits whenever it is needed and still not interrupt the synchronous timing of the other traflic lights at the next intersections, whether it be for service or otherwise.

Hence utilizing the present invention, with for exam ple the setting member 20 set at midnight and the set ting member 18 set at 6:00 A. M. as is shown on dial 16, when the clock motor 24 is energized dial 16 will start to revolve, this moving member 20, the first one to line up with the time indicator pointer '14, this will actuate arm 22 which will urge the adapter 46 to cause the 44 contacts to engage with 42 contacts, his will cause an operative electrical circuit to be completed to the flashing unit in the G84 trafiic controller, and open the circuits that control the cam unit, thus selecting the flashing lamps, now when the time haselapsed so as to bring member 18 in line with the time indicator pointer 14, this will again actuate 'arm 22 which urges adapter 46 back to the opposite side moving the contacts 44 so as to make contact with the contacts 40, this then opens the flashing circuit, and completes the circuit-s to the cam unit in the G54 flashing circuit, and completes the circuits to the cam unit in the G84 trafiic controller for the traffic sequence, go caution stop lamps.

As can be readily seen in the wiring diagram shown in Figure 6, an operative electrical circuit is completed from the amber main street light indicated at A through conductor 72, to the second from the front connection terminal of contact 44, when contacts 44 are engaged with contacts 42 and as can be readily seen that contacts 42 are interconnected by a conductive plate 64, this then completes the circuits through conductor 62 to the flasher control switch, thence to the position at the controller plug in strip 36 (plug in strip is the female receptacle, and the GS4 trafiic controller has a male receptacle on the wiring harness that has to be plugged into plug in strip 36), in order to complete all circuits to the 'difierent flashing lamps to be selected.

It is noted that the toggle switches 60 and 66 will be in the on position unless the tratfic requires it to be any other way or the Serviceman has to turn them off for some reason.

The manual connecting terminal M has two terminals, the line connected to the bottom terminal thence goes to the controller plug in strip 36, where it interconnects with conductor 68, and the 66 trafiic control switch.

Nowccnductor 76 starts at the top M connection terminal and thence goes to the position on the controller plug in strip 36, now again in order to complete any circuits the G84 trafiic controller has to be plugged into position into controller plug in strip 36, the manual switch is left in an operative position and is not shown because this is conventional to the G54 trafiic controller, which the purchasercan have-ordo without also.

There is provided with all trafiic control systems a jumper block 80 which has selective terminals with jumpers so that in lieu of the flashing amber light the flashing red light can be selected also.

Further it is to be recognized that this device may be utilized for more complicated systems having two cross street lamps instead of just one cross street lamp, which is the standard cross street intersection.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted .to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination with a traffic light system having a master timer clock for controlling a sequential arrangement of actuation of stop, caution," and go signal lamps mounted on a series of tratfic lights, said systems including a normal traffic control switch for connecting a first set of contacts with said trafiic lights, said system further including a flasher control switch for connecting a second set of contacts with a "flasher and said traffic lights, a third set of contacts being adapted to selectively contact said first set of contacts and said second set of contacts, said timer clock having an operating arm, and an adapter interconnecting said operating arm of said timer clock with said third set of contacts, said adapter including an upwardly extending shank, said shank being secured to said arm, a recess in the upper end of said shank for engagement with said operating arm, and a substantially inverted channel-shaped .portion overlying said third set of contacts for simultaneous movement of said third set of contacts into selective engagement with said first set of contacts and said second set of contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,851,246 Hall Mar. 29, 1932 1,851,247 Hall Mar. 29, 1932 2,328,473 Leonard Aug. '31, 1943 2,624,793 Peerson Ian. 6, 1953 

